Political Quotes

“this morning the minority leader came to the floor to once again call into question our good faith efforts on the pensions bill. He now claims our longstanding offer of a 7-5 ratio on the conference committee ``looks suspicious.'' I can't help but feel that what is beginning to look suspicious is this continuing pattern of obstruction on ground that seems to be ever shifting. We originally considered proposing a 5-3 ratio but, to accommodate his caucus, we ultimately offered a 7-5 ratio. After a 2-month delay, this was rejected. The Democratic leader was unable to make a decision among members of his caucus. I understand those challenges, but that is what leadership is all about. Now he wishes to further delay with an arbitrary dispute over the ratio of conferees and this new, equally disingenuous charge of ``fixing the jury,'' which is absurd. As the minority leader well knows, I have been working for years to fix the pensions problem. The American people deserve it. People don't understand why these games are being played. The clock is ticking. People's lives are at stake. The first quarter of the physical year ends on March 31, 31 days from now. Within 2 weeks of that happening, companies have to make contributions to their pension plans. The pensions of millions of hard-working Americans are at stake. That is why these games don't make sense. We have two committees with an equal stake in this bill.…”